REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANT

Consulting services for the position of MSMEs Project Coordinator for Component 2 - Access to Finance and Component 3

World Bank Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Competitiveness Project

REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA Sector: General industry and trade sector IDA Credit No. 71740 IBRD Loan No. 94230 Project ID No. P177895 Reference No. MD-CEP- 518133-CS-INDV

The Republic of Moldova has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise Competitiveness Project (MSME) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization (MEDD), Investment Agency, PFIs, NBM, MSMEs, and World Bank Project team. The scope covers the full project lifecycle, from planning and execution to monitoring and evaluation, with a focus on achieving self-sustainability for CGF and enhanced MSME competitiveness. Activities will be conducted in Moldova, with potential travel for matching grants and B2B export missions or stakeholder engagements.

The assignment will be implemented in the period November 2025 - December 30, 2026.

The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment is attached to this request for expressions of interest.

The Project Implementation Unit of the MSME Competitiveness Project now invites eligible individual local consultants (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services.

The qualifications requirements are:

• Advanced degree (Master's or MBA is an advantage) in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, International Development, or a related field. • At least 10 years of professional experience in project management, preferably in development projects involving MSMEs, finance, or export promotion. • Demonstrated experience in working with the World Bank or similar donor-funded projects, including familiarity with disbursement conditions, procurement, and financial management. • Knowledge of financial instruments (e.g., credit lines, credit guarantees, matching grants, etc.) and MSME development in emerging markets, ideally in Moldova or Eastern Europe. • Proven track record in stakeholder coordination, institutional strengthening, and capacity building. • Excellent analytical, communication, and leadership skills; fluency in English and Romanian (Russian or other languages an asset). • Proficiency in project management tools, financial modeling, and reporting software.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the „Open Competitive Selection of Individual Consultants” method set out in the Procurement Regulations and to be specifically set out in the Request for submission of the technical and financial proposal.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours.

The applications should include a letter of Expression of Interest, CV, and related recommendation letters, if any, together with a copy of CV in MS WORD format.

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail) by November 04, 2025, COBD, indicating the assignment title in subject line.

Project Implementation Unit of the MSME Competitiveness Project Attn. Mr. Aureliu Casian, Executive Director 180, Stefan cel Mare Ave., office 815, MD-2004, Chisinau, Republic of Moldova Tel: + 373 22 296-723; + 373 22 296-724; e-mail: piu@mded.gov.md web: https://uipac.md/  

Terms of Reference for the MSMEs Project Coordinator for Component 2 - Access to Finance and Component 3 - MSME Development and Export Competitiveness A. Background The Government of the Republic of Moldova, with support from the World Bank, is implementing a project aimed at enhancing the competitiveness and resilience of Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) through improved access to finance, export promotion, and capacity building. The MSME’s project development objectives (PDO) are: (i) to reduce the regulatory burden, increase access to finance, increase the export competitiveness of Moldovan enterprises, and (ii) in case of an Eligible Crisis or Emergency, to respond promptly and effectively to it. The PDO will be achieved through a set of activities that aim to: (a) digitize government-to-business services and inspections, streamline permissive documents, and enhance national quality infrastructure to reduce the regulatory burden enterprises face; (b) support access to finance for enterprises through credit guarantees and enhance the capacity of the Credit Guarantee Fund (CGF), and (c) support the development of MSMEs and enhance their export competitiveness; d) support project management; e) support the government's response in case of an emergency. The project includes five components, two of them which are subject of the current assignment are described below: • Component 2: Access to Finance (app. US$15 million equivalent): This component focuses on supporting the Credit Guarantee Fund (CGF) within the Organization for the Development of the Sector of Small and Medium Enterprises (ODA) for the provision of financial guarantees to MSMEs through a new portfolio guarantee product. It addresses high collateral requirements and risk aversion by financial institutions through public portfolio partial credit guarantees. Activities include capitalizing CGF (US$14.5 million equivalent), providing technical assistance (up to US$0.5 million equivalent) for institutional strengthening, introducing portfolio guarantee products, managing climate-related and environmental risks, and enhancing climate change adaptation and mitigation capacities for Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs) and the National Bank of Moldova (NBM). The component targets private MSMEs supporting both investment and working capital loans. • Component 3: MSME Development and Export Competitiveness (app. US$12.25 million equivalent): This component supports MSMEs through matching grants, export readiness programs, supplier linkages, and export promotion. Key activities include enhancing export promotion by the Investment Agency (IA) (US$3 million equivalent), providing matching grants via the Matching Grants Fund (MGF) housed at ODA (US$10 million equivalent, with US$5 million from the project and US$5 million from MSMEs), strengthening export readiness programs (US$2.65 million equivalent), enabling local linkages with foreign manufacturing firms (US$1.50 million equivalent), and capacity building on climate action priorities (US$0.1 million equivalent). The component aligns with government goals for simplifying MSME operations, supporting growth and internationalization, and integrating climate-informed production practices. ODA and IA are the primary implementing agencies for both components, working in collaboration with entities such as the MEDD, PFIs, and Free Economic Zones. The project emphasizes sustainability, private capital mobilization, and alignment with international standards, including the European Green Deal and climate change adaptation/mitigation. To ensure effective implementation, monitoring, and coordination of these components, a Project Coordinator is required to oversee activities, facilitate stakeholder engagement, and ensure compliance with project objectives and World Bank guidelines. B. Objectives The primary objective of the Project Coordinator is to lead the day-to-day management and coordination of Components 2 and 3, ensuring timely and efficient implementation, achievement of project outcomes, and sustainability of results. Specific objectives include: • Facilitating the capitalization and operationalization of CGF under Component 2, including portfolio guarantees and technical assistance. • Overseeing the implementation and delivery of B2B export missions, export readiness program, and supplier linkages program under Component 3. • Integrating climate and social action priorities across both components, such as trainings on adaptation/mitigation and environmental criteria. • Mobilizing private capital and ensuring MSME outreach, particularly for export-oriented activities. • Monitoring progress against disbursement conditions, performance indicators, and sustainability targets. C. Scope of Work The Coordinator will collaborate with relevant stakeholders, including the Ministry of Economic Development and Digitalization (MEDD), Investment Agency, PFIs, NBM, MSMEs, and World Bank Project team. The scope covers the full project lifecycle, from planning and execution to monitoring and evaluation, with a focus on achieving self-sustainability for CGF and enhanced MSME competitiveness. Activities will be conducted in Moldova, with potential travel for matching grants and B2B export missions or stakeholder engagements. D. Tasks and Responsibilities The Project Coordinator will perform the following key tasks: For Component 2: Access to Finance • Coordinate and ensure compliance with disbursement conditions for the capitalization of CGF foreseen in the MSME Project Financing and Loan Agreements and Project Appraisal Document (PAD). • Overseeing the introduction and implementation of portfolio guarantee products, including segmented schemes (capped/uncapped, secured/unsecured) and guarantee fees. • Liaise with Consultants hired under the component and ensure efficient implementation of the technical assistance, such as developing financial projection models, establishing internal control and risk management frameworks, conversion from NAS to IFRS, setting up separate financial reporting for CGF, etc. • Facilitate upgrades to the CGF Management Information System (MIS) for real-time information exchange, guarantee issuance, claims processing, and recoveries. • Facilitate organization of trainings for PFIs on climate change topics (adaptation/mitigation, vulnerability assessments) and support in preparing strategies for climate-related risks, including workshops and surveys. Liaise and coordinate on these with the PIU Environmental and Social Consultants. • Liaise with the CGF staff and PIU’ Monitoring & Evaluation consultant in the process of gathering, reporting and tracking the PDO indicators and information / data on intermediary results indicators foreseen in the Results Framework Table of PAD. • Ensure alignment with global best practices, including the "Principles for Public Credit Guarantee Schemes for SMEs," and address institutional strengthening needs identified in assessments. For Component 3: MSME Development and Export Competitiveness • Overseeing the implementation of the B2B export promotion activities with IA, including information sharing (e.g., 20 exporter meetings/webinars/focus groups), four export missions targeting 240 companies, enhancing Moldova's country brand, and building IA's research/marketing capacity. • Overseeing the implementation of the export competitiveness activities with ODA. Liaise with Consultant hired under the component and ensure efficient implementation of the supplier linkages program, including 360-degree screenings/assessments for MSMEs, action plan development, interactive guidance platforms. • Liaise with Consultant hired under the component and ensure efficient implementation of the export readiness program, including 360-degree screenings/assessments for MSMEs, action plan development and awareness on European Green Deal/EU export requirements. • Coordinate climate action trainings for ODA and MSMEs (e.g., roundtables, webinars on mitigation/adaptation and European Green Deal). • Ensure coordination between ODA, IA, and other partners for maximum efficiency in programs like MGF, CGF, and B2B export missions, export readiness and supplier linkages. Cross-Component Responsibilities • Develop and implement work plans in line with World Bank procedures. • Monitor project progress, risks, and performance indicators (e.g., loan volumes, export achievements, private capital mobilized). • Prepare regular reports, including progress updates, and evaluations. • Engage stakeholders, including MSMEs, PFIs, and government entities, to ensure inclusive outreach and beneficiary eligibility. • Promote sustainability, such as achieving CGF self-financing through fees and investments, and long-term MSME export capabilities. • Address any emerging issues, including legal amendments, institutional enhancements, and climate integration. E. Reporting Arrangements / Terms of Payment The Consultant will report directly to the Director of the Project Implementation Unit (PIU). Regular reporting will be required to the World Bank task team, including quarterly progress reports and annual reports. Consultant will submit monthly timesheets, which will state activities performed by the Consultant according to the TOR, during the appropriate month, the time spent on each activity. Performance will be evaluated based on achievement of project milestones and indicators. All deliverables will be provided in electronic form and in hard copies. The language of the deliverables shall be Romanian. G. Period of the Assignment The assignment requires part-time involvement and will be implemented in the period from November 2025 to December 30, 2026, with an estimated level of effort of approximately 200 man-days. The contract can be extended beyond this term, subject to the Consultant’s satisfactory performance, inter alia achievement of the performance indicators. H. Requirements for the assignment This assignment will require an individual local Consultant, who has: • Advanced degree (Master's or MBA is an advantage) in Economics, Finance, Business Administration, International Development, or a related field. • At least 10 years of professional experience in project management, preferably in development projects involving MSMEs, finance, or export promotion. • Demonstrated experience in working with the World Bank or similar donor-funded projects, including familiarity with disbursement conditions, procurement, and financial management. • Knowledge of financial instruments (e.g., credit lines, credit guarantees, matching grants, etc.) and MSME development in emerging markets, ideally in Moldova or Eastern Europe. • Proven track record in stakeholder coordination, institutional strengthening, and capacity building. • Excellent analytical, communication, and leadership skills; fluency in English and Romanian (Russian or other languages an asset). • Proficiency in project management tools, financial modeling, and reporting software.